Chapter 52 ROTNDOAHRF

FlamingoBees

Translating Chinese Historical Dramas for your enjoyment... and mine! :)

Rebirth of the Noble Daughter of a High Family

Chapter 52:

Brain-Dead Girls Must Find Fault

Madam Li opened her eyes, sighed, and said, "Nuan'er, grandmother knows you are compassionate, but if you are pleading for this servant girl, spare the effort." In the Ouyang family's hierarchy and the value of human life, they hesitated not in choosing to uphold their reputation. Even if it meant deceiving themselves and others, they were determined to see it through.

Ouyang Nuan glanced at Madam Lin, who wore a smirk, and slowly spoke, "Nuan'er understands that this servant girl has done wrong, but after all, she has been following Ke'er for many years, serving as her personal maid. The bond between them is extraordinary. Ke'er is currently infuriated, and if she were to look back on this in the future, she would surely regret it. Nuan'er is well aware of her sister's impending remorse. How can I remain silent and not offer advice?"

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Ouyang Zhi sat back in his seat and calmly said, "Go ahead."

Ouyang Nuan spoke softly, "It's true that Qiu Yue deserves severe punishment, but she has served my sister diligently for many years, albeit without any notable accomplishments. Let's set that aside for now. Grandmother, have you forgotten? Qiu Yue is the granddaughter of Hua Mama, who was your personal maid back then. After serving you for many years, she was granted the grace to retire to another estate due to old age and frailty. Her son passed away early, and her daughter-in-law remarried, leaving her with only this one granddaughter. Now, to execute her by beating would deeply grieve Hua Mama."

Old Madam Li's face showed a hint of remorse, but she still seemed hesitant. Ouyang Nuan continued, "Mother, you are now pregnant. Master Huian has advised us to do more good deeds. Beating the servant girl may seem like a minor matter, but going against Master Huian's advice would be a major issue. If we accidentally accumulate negative karma, won't you and father be affected?"

Ouyang Zhi had shown no intention of stopping until this point. However, upon hearing this, his gaze sharpened, and he called out, "That's enough, stop for now!" Outside, the beating halted immediately, leaving everyone in the room exchanging looks of surprise and relief.

Madam Lin was unwilling to relent. With the situation having escalated to this point, only Qiu Yue's death would ensure her safety. She immediately exclaimed, "Nuan'er, what nonsense are you talking? Why bother pleading for such a despicable servant!"

Ouyang Nuan sighed, her gaze lingering on Madam Lin's abdomen, as she spoke with profound meaning, "Mother, let's consider this as accumulating merit for the sake of my younger brother. Poor little brother hasn't even been born yet and already carries the stigma of being an ill-fated child. If there is another death in the household, won't it further burden him with sin? As a mother, how could you bear such a heavy heart?"

The words "ill-fated child" seemed to cast a spell over Madam Lin, binding her tightly. As she locked eyes with Ouyang Nuan, she felt an infinite chill emanating from those dark and profound eyes, piercing her heart like needles, causing her to involuntarily take a step back.

Ouyang Nuan turned around calmly and said, "Qiu Yue is indeed guilty, and Grandma and Father must punish her. Let her enter the ancestral temple to pray for blessings for my unborn brother and recite scriptures a hundred times a day to dispel her karmic obstacles."

Entering the ancestral temple meant being confined for life, never to see the light of day again. But compared to being executed outright, it was already a merciful reprieve. Everyone was taken aback by this unexpected turn of events. They all stared blankly at the young lady standing upright, her gaze calm and composed. Qiu Yue was not her personal maid, yet she intervened multiple times to save her. Truly, she displayed great tolerance, kindness, and compassion, earning everyone's deep respect.

Ouyang Zhi pondered over the matter. Executing Qiu Yue would indeed add to his sins and diminish his blessings. However, releasing her might lead to her spreading rumors outside. The best course of action seemed to be confining her to the ancestral temple, cutting off all contact with the outside world. Looking at Old Madam Li, he asked, "Mother, what do you think?"

Old Madam Li nodded, casting a cold glance at Madam Lin's abdomen. The ominous star of calamity had appeared in the Ouyang family. To dispel karmic obstacles and seek blessings for herself, sparing this maid for now was acceptable. She nodded slightly and said, "Nuan'er has compassionate at heart. This idea is good. It both punishes the maid and spares her life. Let's send her in today."

Ouyang Zhi gave Madam Lin a cold look and said, "Although Ke'er was falsely accused by the maid, she also recklessly attracted attention in the garden. Punish her with a hundred days of confinement and five hundred copies of the Women's Rules. As her mother, you failed to discipline her properly, resulting in so many troubles and bringing disgrace to the Ouyang family. From now on, you must properly discipline Ke'er. If such incidents happen again, you will be punished along with her!"

As they left the Shou'an Hall, Ouyang Ke felt weak all over, almost unable to stand. Wang Mama supported her and accompanied Madam Lin out. Passing through the threshold and into the courtyard, all the maids and mamas stared at this mother and daughter pair with an extremely unfamiliar and strange gaze, there was an indescribable sense of strangeness in the air.

Ouyang Ke felt a bit frightened and involuntarily approached Madam Lin. Madam Lin's gaze swept sharply around, causing everyone to lower their heads in that moment, seemingly unable to withstand the Madam's authority. With a stern and commanding demeanor, Madam Lin led Ouyang Ke, Wang Mama, and the others away.

Ouyang Nuan stood in the light, watching from afar as the mother and daughter slowly descended the steps amidst the peculiar gazes of the crowd, gradually moving towards the darkness, revealing a hint of faint tears...

It is well known that the Cloud-Chasing Pavilion in the capital has the most luxurious and elegant architecture, with its carved eaves reflecting the sun and its painted rafters soaring like flying clouds. That night, in the elegant room of the Cloud-Chasing Pavilion, Su Yulou listened to her sister Su Yunniang's words with a slight astonishment. "You said Second Miss Ouyang hid my poetry?"

"Yes, big brother, I saw with my own eyes that the handkerchief wrapped around the poetry, and it was your handwriting inside!" Su Yunniang affirmed with wide eyes.

"Yulou, do you know that Second Miss not only wrapped the poetry with a handkerchief, but also tied it into a lover's knot? At first, I didn't pay attention to the handwriting, but after your sister mentioned it, I realized something was amiss!" Madam Su sat in her chair, showing an unhappy expression. "Could it be that you really have feelings for that Second Miss Ouyang?"

Su Yulou's eyes no longer held their previous calmness, only icy coldness and anger, as he said in a cold voice, "This Ouyang Ke is truly shameless. She gave me the handkerchief, and of course, I didn't accept it. But I don't know how she managed to stir up such trouble."

Madam Su's face showed a surprised expression. "Could it be that this poetry wasn't given to her by you?"

Su Yulou's handsome face revealed a kind of disgust, as he said in a deep voice, "Mother, do you think I would be interested in Ouyang Ke? What about her is worth my attention?"

Madam Su thought for a moment. Compared to Miss Ouyang Nuan, Ouyang Ke was indeed much inferior. Her son was proud and lofty, with lofty aspirations. How could he forsake the dazzling Ouyang Nuan and take notice of Ouyang Ke, such a little maid? After pondering for a moment, she said, "If not you, then who else?"

Su Yulou sneered, "With so many people in the hall at that time, who would have noticed that the poetry was taken away? Mother, Ouyang Ke sent someone to steal my poetry, and then made that nauseating appearance. Most likely, she wanted others to think that I had feelings for her!"

Su Yunniang nodded and said, "I also believe that big brother wouldn't do such a thing. With big brother's talent and demeanor, so many young ladies admire him. Why would he bother with the Second Miss of the Ouyang family? It's ridiculous. However, when we first saw the handkerchief wrapped around the poetry and tied into a lover's knot, it did raise suspicions. Since big brother said so, it must be that Ouyang Ke intentionally set it up as a trap, trying to shift the blame onto big brother."

Madam Su shook her head and said, "How could this happen? Lin Wanru spoke so convincingly to me, saying she would do everything possible to betroth the eldest Miss to Yulou. At first, I was hesitant. Yulou is so outstanding, not only do we need to find a family with a good background, but also someone with outstanding looks. That's why I deliberately came to the capital early, taking advantage of Old Madam Li's birthday banquet to have a look. But I didn't expect her to be such a beauty. I then thought of agreeing. I even specially sent a piece of jade..."

Su Yunniang asked curiously, "Mother, don't you find it strange? I feel like the eldest Miss and Madam Li have a very good relationship, almost closer than real mother and daughter. With her talents and beauty, why would Madam Li want to marry her into the Su family? Could there be any flaws in Ouyang Nuan?"

Madam Su frowned and said, "What nonsense are you talking about? Is our Su family's status not good enough? Or is your brother not good enough for the eldest Miss of the Ouyang family? Are you extinguishing your own prestige to elevate others?"

Su Yunniang, seeing her mother getting angry, quickly reached out and clung to her arm, pouting, "Mother, I didn't mean it like that."

Madam Su snorted and pointed her index finger at her daughter's fair forehead. "No secrets! Everyone in the Ouyang Residence appears affectionate on the surface, but underneath, it's a nest of vipers. Don't be fooled by Madam Lin's friendly demeanor. She's quite formidable. That eldest Miss may be young, but she already looks like that. Plus, she has a younger brother who could potentially inherit the Ouyang estate. She must be resented by her stepmother. It's likely that she and Madam Lin are already at odds, but you saw her today, smiling and amiable. There was no trace of resentment or grievance. In my opinion, she must be quite a remarkable person."

"Oh, does that mean you're going to get a formidable sister-in-law for my brother? I don't want that!" Su Yunniang pouted, her voice sweetly petulant.

"Sweet child, you always have to consider your older brother. You were there today too. Ouyang Nuan truly has impeccable character. She greets people with a genuine smile, without a hint of flattery, and she doesn't have those affected quirks that many young ladies from prominent families often display. Her demeanor is dignified and graceful, surpassing even the daughters of the noble houses! Did you see how she carried herself, every word and gesture, every frown and smile? Compared to those affected noblewomen we've encountered in Jiangnan, she shines brighter. It's a pity we arrived late and didn't see that longevity painting, but from what I've heard from others, it's a rare treasure. If we could secure Ouyang Nuan for your brother, it would truly be a wonderful match!" Madam Su sighed.

Su Yunniang smiled, but she felt quite displeased inside. Although Ouyang Nuan treated her with a smile, there was always a hint of distance, making it seem impossible to break through no matter how hard she tried to please her. Moreover, being a young and beautiful girl herself, she couldn't bear to see her mother praising another person like that in front of her. So, she deliberately glanced at Su Yulou and said, "Mother, what's the use of your favor if my brother doesn't like her?"

"Yulou, you saw that young lady today, didn't you? What do you think? If you still can't fancy her, I really don't know where else to find a fairy for you!" Madam Su remarked, noticing Su Yulou's silence, she added thoughtfully.

Su Yulou didn't reply immediately. Instead, his mind involuntarily conjured the image of Ouyang Nuan's eyes, filled with an inexplicable brilliance. He couldn't comprehend why she only showed a cold demeanor towards him. Over the years, Su Yulou had considered himself to have seen many women, including those from noble families and those from modest backgrounds. Yet, the faint glance from Ouyang Nuan seemed to dim all the allure of the women he had ever encountered.

"Brother, say something!" Su Yunniang urged, giving him a gentle push.

Su Yulou snapped out of his reverie, offering a faint smile but still didn't respond. Madam Su observed his reaction and understood his thoughts. With a solemn tone, she assured, "Yulou, Mother understands your feelings. I will ensure your wishes come true!"

“Mother, do you really have a plan?" Su Yunniang couldn't help but ask.

Madam Su smiled faintly, "Since Madam Lin and Eldest Miss Ouyang have a lot of grievances, we can take advantage of that. What's to worry about if we can turn it into a good opportunity?"

Furui Courtyard

As soon as Madam Lin returned to her room, she collapsed onto the bed. Wang Mama hurriedly asked all the maids to leave the room. Looking back, she saw Madam Lin's face turning pale, with an abnormal flush on her cheeks, indicating extreme anger. On the side, Ouyang Ke looked on in confusion, not knowing what to do.

Wang Mama quickly pushed her, saying, "Miss, why don't you apologize to Madam?"

Ouyang Ke suddenly woke up to reality and immediately knelt down on the ground. Wang Mama quickly went over and poured a cup of tea for Madam Lin, then helped her sit up. After serving her the tea and seeing her complexion improve slightly, she whispered softly, "Madam, Miss is young and ignorant..."

"Young and ignorant?" Madam Lin stared coldly at Ouyang Ke, her voice full of hatred. "Every time you say that, I used to believe she was just young and ignorant. Little did I know she is such a shameless creature!"

Ouyang Ke looked at her own mother in shock, realizing something was terribly wrong. She had never seen Madam Lin look so haggard before, as if she had suddenly aged seven or eight years. Sensing the seriousness of the situation, she quickly kowtowed and said, "Mother, please don't be angry. It's all my fault... I know I was wrong!"

Madam Lin ignored her and whispered to Wang Mama, "Where is that wretched maid, Yinxing! Bring her in!" Wang Mama hurriedly complied. Ouyang Ke wanted to defend herself, but when she saw how terrifying Madam Lin looked, she dared not speak further. She only silently tried to stand up, but Madam Lin suddenly shouted, "Kneel down! Don't you dare move until I tell you to!"

Ouyang Ke was horrified, her face turning as pale as paper. She collapsed on the ground, looking pitiful and helpless, too afraid to make a move.

Yinxing followed Wang Mama inside, and without warning, Madam Lin threw the teacup at her. It hit Yinxing's chest, soaking her instantly. Yinxing fell to her knees with a thud, too scared to lift her head.

"How did I instruct you?" Madam Lin demanded angrily. "I specifically told you to take Miss Ouyang to that courtyard. Why didn't you follow my orders?"

Yinxing continued to kowtow, a bruise forming on her forehead. When she raised her head, her expression was innocent. "Madam, I did indeed bring Miss to the courtyard as you instructed. But when we reached the door, she refused to go in. Instead, she insisted that I pour tea for her. I was afraid that if she got angry and left, it would ruin Madam's plans. So, I hurried to pour tea for her. When I returned, Miss was gone, and I saw..." Yinxing hesitated, her voice trailing off.

"Saw what?!" Madam Lin's voice was stern, her eyes burning with fury.

Yinxing glanced at Ouyang Ke discreetly and whispered, "I saw Miss talking to Master Su. I didn't dare to come out when I saw that, only appearing after Miss left..."

Madam Lin's breath caught in her throat. Just a moment ago, she couldn't be certain, but now she knew for sure that Ouyang Ke had ruined her plans. This unfilial and foolish girl! She glared at Ouyang Ke with heaving breaths, as if she wanted to string up her dearly beloved daughter and beat her before she could be satisfied. Ouyang Ke saw the terrifying look in Madam Lin's eyes and panicked. Trembling, she said, "Mother! Mother, I did indeed give the handkerchief to Master Su, but he asked Yinxing to wrap the poem in it and give it to me! I didn't even have a chance to open it and see what was inside!"

Madam Lin erupted, pressing Yinxing for answers, "Were you bribed to frame Miss?!"

Yinxing was startled, her face pale and her ears ringing with Miss's words. She spoke involuntarily, "No, I wouldn't dare! My entire family's lives are in Madam's hands, how could I betray her so easily? Master Su did indeed order me to return the handkerchief to Miss. When I took it, I truly didn't know there was something hidden inside! I don't even recognize most of the characters, how could I know it was a love poem? Moreover, I am loyal to Madam. How could I assist anyone in framing Miss? I am truly innocent!"

After speaking, she continued to kowtow incessantly, the sound echoing heavily in the room. Madam Lin grew increasingly agitated, waving her hand to dismiss Yinxing. Before Yinxing could react, Wang Mama sternly commanded, "Get out now!"

Yinxing stumbled out as if granted a reprieve, realizing she had narrowly escaped a dire fate at Madam's hands.

Madam Lin sighed deeply, collapsing onto the bed. For almost half an incense stick's worth of time, she couldn't utter a word. Ouyang Ke dared not move, remaining kneeling until Madam Lin suddenly sat up. Startled, Ouyang Ke asked, "Mother, what's wrong?"

Madam Lin's eyes were full of suspicion as she stared at Ouyang Ke for a long time. Then, she closed her eyes in contemplation before speaking again, "No, something isn't right about this! Ke'er sent the handkerchief over, and the other party sent back the poem. Aside from Yinxing, no one else should have known about it. But Ouyang Nuan deliberately incited those young ladies to want to see the handkerchief. Clearly, she already knew there was something hidden inside and intentionally wanted to embarrass Ke'er! She must be scheming behind the scenes! Yinxing might just be the mole!"

Wang Mama was startled. The more she thought about it, the more it seemed plausible. Tentatively, she asked, "Madam, if that's the case, should we keep Yinxing?"

Madam Lin's gaze flickered uncertainly, filled with a sinister aura, but ultimately, she sighed in resignation. "Are you being foolish? So many people are waiting to catch me making mistakes. If this girl suddenly disappears for no reason, do you think they won't seize the opportunity to accuse me?"

"But if it wasn't for her, Miss wouldn't have been falsely accused..."

"Falsely accused? Didn't you hear what she said? The handkerchief was eagerly given by this girl, and the poem was a gift sent back by the other party! If Ke'er hadn't done something stupid herself, how could she have given them a handle to use against her?" Just the thought of it made Madam Lin's eyes flare up with anger, as if she wanted to devour someone.

Wang Mama hurriedly tried to calm her down. "Madam, please calm down. You're still pregnant. Don't let anger harm your health!"

Upon hearing Madam Lin's words, Ouyang Ke suddenly realized the truth. Holding the handkerchief against her face, she cried out loud, "Mother is right! It's Ouyang Nuan who framed me like this. I won't forgive her..."

Madam Lin interrupted her, "Do you have the audacity to speak! You, a young lady, dare openly give gifts to a man. I've always cherished you, but today you nearly drove me to death with anger. Have you no shame?"

Ouyang Ke had already been scolded by Madam Lin during the day, and now, after this frightful encounter at night, Madam Lin continued to berate her. Overwhelmed, Ouyang Ke couldn't help but collapse to the ground, sobbing uncontrollably.

Wang Mama whispered, "Madam, what should we do? Shouldn't we stand up for Miss?"

Madam Lin replied icily, "Let it go. Since Ouyang Nuan dared to do this, she must be confident that I won't dare to seek retribution. Have you not considered that if we were to push Yinxing out, everything I've done would also be exposed? She must have foreseen this outcome."

Ouyang Ke suddenly lifted her head, her face full of anger. "Mother, are you going to just stand by and let me be framed like this?"

Madam Lin wearily said, "Right now, I have no other choice. You should just calm down and endure this. Once I give birth to a healthy brother for you, there will be plenty of opportunities for revenge and vindication."

"Another wait for brother! Always wait for brother!" Her mind was now consumed with thoughts of the child in her belly. Where was the concern for her daughter? With a sudden burst of frustration, Ouyang Ke stood up abruptly, stormed out, and slammed the door behind her.

Wang Mama moved to intercept her, but Madam Lin waved her hand to stop. "Let her be. She doesn't understand. I've always had her best interests at heart, but she acts recklessly and selfishly. She needs to learn a lesson to understand who truly cares for her. Let her face some consequences; she'll come to realize it soon enough. We need not bother about her now."

Wang Mama sighed inwardly. Madam Lin was only just realizing that she had spoiled her daughter too much. But with Second Miss Ouyang's temper, storming out like this might lead to trouble. However, seeing Madam Lin's deep furrowed brow, indicating a headache, she dared not speak up. She could only watch silently as the young miss left in a huff.

Ouyang Nuan returned to her quiet pavilion and found the maidservants standing in line at the door, ready to greet her. As she walked in, she spotted her younger brother, Ouyang Jue, leaning on the table, idly stirring the steaming tea on it with a bored expression. When he saw her enter, he jumped up with joy, exclaiming, "Sister, you're finally back!"

With a slight smile, Ouyang Nuan asked, "You're waiting here so late. Do you have something to tell me?"

Ouyang Jue waited until all the maidservants had left before speaking with a cheerful grin, "Sister, I did well today, didn't I? I heard..."

Seeing his proud demeanor, Ouyang Nuan couldn't help but smile. This child was innocent and straightforward. She wouldn't involve him directly in any dark affairs. Today's actions were only meant to give him a glimpse of the inside story, so he wouldn't think that the peaceful days in the backyard came easily.

Just as she was about to speak, they heard a loud voice from outside, followed by Ouyang Ke's scream. Ouyang Jue paused, looking at Ouyang Nuan with some uncertainty. Without looking back, Ouyang Nuan raised her voice, "Changpu, let Second Miss Ouyang in."

The curtain of the door was pulled open with a "swish," and Ouyang Ke stormed in, her face full of anger. Her hairpins were disheveled, and her sleeves were wrinkled, obviously hindered by the servant Cangpu on her way in. She clenched her fists, wearing a confrontational expression that prompted Ouyang Jue to involuntarily scold her, "What are you doing!"

Ouyang Nuan frowned slightly. "Jue, Ke and I are sisters. We can talk about anything. But as a boy, you don't need to get involved. Just leave."

Ouyang Jue looked at his sister, who had a determined expression. He couldn't help but purse his lips, but remained motionless. Ouyang Nuan deliberately whispered in his ear, "Go and fetch grandmother." Ouyang Jue was taken aback, then realized what was happening. He immediately walked out.

Ouyang Ke, ignoring him, glared fiercely at Ouyang Nuan.

Ouyang Ke, despite her boldness, couldn't gain any advantage here. Her father had just restricted her movements, yet she dared to barge into the Nuan's courtyard. She truly had a lot of nerve. Ouyang Nuan smiled slightly. "What's wrong, Ke? It's late. Do you need something from me?"

"Are you still able to laugh?" Ouyang Ke sneered, advancing step by step. "Ouyang Nuan, you're quite impressive. You actually instigated that servant girl to frame me. Are you satisfied now? You've made me suffer so much, completely humiliating me." Her eyes were red as if they were about to spew fire. Several servant maids outside wanted to come in and persuade her, but Ouyang Nuan signaled to Hongyu, who immediately stopped them. Only Changpu was allowed into the room, standing guard beside Ouyang Nuan.

Ouyang Nuan's voice grew heavy. "Watch your words, sister! Even if you don't like me as your sister, you shouldn't falsely accuse me for no reason! The reputation of the Ouyang family is paramount. As a daughter of our father, shouldn't you consider preserving our family's dignity? Shouldn't you think twice before creating a scene like this? Are you willing to bear the label of being rude and ill-mannered?"

Ouyang Ke was completely infuriated by these words, her face showing extreme anger. She shouted, "I don't care about dignity anymore! What dignity do I have left now? It's not just this. I'll give you a taste of your own medicine and show you that I'm not someone to be trifled with!" With that, she charged towards Ouyang Nuan.

Changpu swiftly stepped in front of Ouyang Nuan, cleverly twisting Ouyang Ke's arm and slamming her to the ground in one fluid motion. To onlookers, it seemed like she was merely preventing Ouyang Ke from harming her mistress. However, in reality, she viciously kicked Ouyang Ke's soft waist while she was down. Ouyang Ke screamed in pain, "Ouyang Nuan, you shameless wretch! All that talk of sisterly love, of righteousness and compassion, it's all fake. You're the most heartless and ruthless..."

Ouyang Nuan remained composed, with a hint of a smile on her face, her tone becoming even more calm. She said, "It seems like my sister has been influenced by something malevolent, acting so recklessly. From what I see, you should avoid places you shouldn't be in the future, lest you attract certain unsavory entities!"

Ouyang Ke struggled desperately upon hearing this, but for some reason, Changpu, despite her small stature, had hands like iron clamps, making it impossible for her to break free. This only fueled Ouyang Ke's anger further. She screamed hoarsely, "What did I ever do to you to deserve this? Let me go! Ouyang Nuan, you're shameless! You'll surely go to hell for this!"

"Little sister, what's gotten into you? Are you running a fever?" Ouyang Nuan exclaimed loudly, feigning deep concern and a puzzled expression. She leaned in closer to Ouyang Ke's ear and whispered, "Who was it that gave a handkerchief to a man, and who publicly embarrassed the Ouyang family? It was you, dear sister. Have you forgotten all about it?"

Ouyang Ke's face turned purple with rage. She tried to kick Ouyang Nuan, but Changpu pinned her foot down firmly. All she could do was struggle and curse vehemently. Ouyang Nuan's voice was low and gentle, audible only to the two of them, yet it carried an intense warmth. "I almost forgot. Like mother, like daughter. Your mother is two-faced, pretending to care for her sister at her sickbed while cozying up to her sister's husband behind her back. How could such a shameless woman give birth to anything good? Remember this: your mother is already despicable enough, but you surpass even her in vileness!"

None of these words were heard by anyone else; only Ouyang Ke's eyes had turned bloodshot, resembling a wild beast losing control, crazily attempting to break free from the restraint. At this moment, there came a knocking on the door from outside. Ouyang Nuan had timed it perfectly. She nodded at Changpu, who immediately released Ouyang Ke. Without a second thought, Ouyang Ke lunged towards Ouyang Nuan, knocking her forcefully onto the table. The teacups on the table shattered into pieces as Ouyang Ke picked up a shard of porcelain, intending to slash it across Ouyang Nuan's beautiful face!

Changpu, with quick reflexes, seized Ouyang Ke's hand, who struggled fiercely but failed to anticipate that at this moment, Ouyang Nuan would reveal a faint, cold smile.

Just then, a crisp shout came from outside: "Grandmother, you need to come in quickly! Second sister seems to have gone mad!"

Ouyang Ke hesitated, immediately trying to retract her hand, but Changpu wouldn't allow it. Just as the two struggled, Old Madam Li stepped into the room. Seeing the mess around and Ouyang Ke holding up the porcelain shard, Changpu faithfully held onto her hand. Meanwhile, Ouyang Nuan was pushed down onto the table, appearing to be greatly aggrieved!

Old Madam Li erupted in anger, "Ke'er, what are you doing!"

Beside her, Zhang Mama scolded the maidservants, "Are you all dead? Hurry and help the young miss up! You there, go and catch the second miss!"

Several maids rushed forward and grabbed Ouyang Ke, one on each side, while Changpu released her grip and quickly went to assist Ouyang Nuan. Ouyang Nuan burst into tears upon seeing Old Madam Li, immediately kneeling before her and saying tearfully, "Nuan'er is unfilial to have alarmed grandmother!"

Old Madam Li, seeing her full of grievances and traces of scalding on her hand from the spilled tea, had her expression changed abruptly. She sternly rebuked Ouyang Ke, "Have you gone mad? How dare you barge into your sister's courtyard!"

Ouyang Jue spoke loudly, "Grandmother, thankfully you arrived early. Did you see? Second sister intended to ruin sister's appearance!"

Old Madam Li's complexion turned pale with anger. Pointing at Ouyang Ke, she shouted, "Quickly bring the family law! Go now!"

Upon hearing the mention of family law, Ouyang Ke panicked. Before she could even offer an explanation, Ouyang Nuan whispered softly, "Grandmother, the family law must not be invoked! It seems that my sister has been troubled by some evil spirit. She was fine during the day, but after going to the Furuai Court at night, how could she become like this..."

Old Madam Li was greatly startled, her mind involuntarily recalling the words of Master Huian about the ominous star that could bring harm to parents and siblings. Seeing Ouyang Ke with disheveled hair, bloodshot eyes, and a pale face, she couldn't help but feel a chill down her spine, becoming even more convinced of the truth behind the ominous star. Ouyang Nuan, observing the fluctuations in her grandmother's expression, understood her thoughts well. She spoke softly, "Grandmother, so many people have witnessed my sister's madness. It's best to have her escorted back quickly. We must ensure this matter doesn't spread."

Old Madam Li suddenly snapped out of her daze and immediately ordered, "What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and take Second Miss back! Without my orders, she is not to be let out again!"

"Grandmother, Ke'er is innocent! Please believe me, save me!" Ouyang Ke tried to speak, but Old Madam Li, fearing she might say something unpleasant, shouted for someone to gag her mouth and forcefully dragged her out.

Along the way, all the maids and nannies witnessed it. They saw with their own eyes the once lively and lovely Second Miss behaving like a madwoman, rushing into the courtyard of the Eldest Miss. Not only did she curse her sister loudly, but she also attempted to harm her with broken porcelain. It was a scene straight out of a nightmare. Moreover, considering that Second Miss had indeed gone into the Madam's courtyard looking perfectly fine and then suddenly changed into this state, they couldn't help but believe in the legend of the ominous star.

Inside the room, Ouyang Nuan rearranged the furnishings and instructed the maids to clean up the broken pieces on the floor before respectfully bowing to Old Madam Li. "Grandmother, regarding my younger sister—"

Old Madam Li's expression was as dark as water. "What Master Huian said is indeed true. This child has caused chaos in the family even before being born. Truly, she is a harbinger of misfortune. Yet, your mother remains fiercely protective of it. Alas, I wonder what sins I committed in my past life. What should have been a peaceful birthday celebration has turned into this state of affairs."

Ouyang Jue obediently leaned against Old Madam Li and said, "Grandmother, please don't be angry. Mother is now completely focused on her son and has forgotten filial piety. My sister has also been affected by that child's influence, but you still have me and my sister by your side. We will be doubly filial to you!"

Old Madam Li sighed. Although she appeared somewhat comforted on the surface, deep down, she was still very unhappy. Just the thought of that child, the cursed one, felt like a blockage in her chest, making it hard to breathe. She wished she could immediately order the removal of the cursed seed from Madam Lin's womb.

Ouyang Nuan's face had already regained its calmness, with only a hint of grievance in her eyes. She softly said, "Please rest assured, everything will be fine."

Old Madam Li nodded, looking at the dark night outside the window. "I hope so."

Ouyang Jue glanced at his sister, only to see her calm and serene, without a trace of resentment or anger. He couldn't help but quietly think to himself that despite being just two years older than him, his sister was already so composed and calm in the face of adversity. It made him, as a young boy, feel ashamed. He had always boasted about protecting her, but now it seemed that he was the one being sheltered by her wings!

In the deep of night, a heavy snowfall blanketed the earth. Having already instructed her maidservant to prepare a thick cloak for Ouyang Jue, Ouyang Nuan emerged from Shou'an Hall early the next morning and headed towards Songzhu Courtyard.

As she approached the gate of the courtyard, she heard a soft voice call out, "Nuan'er, my cousin."

Ouyang Nuan was taken aback and immediately turned around, only to see a tall figure looming over her.

Instinctively, she took two steps back. Before her stood a young man, tall and imposing. He was draped in a dark fox fur cloak, with a deep blue robe embroidered with elegant bamboo leaf patterns underneath. The cuffs were trimmed with pristine white fur, accentuating his noble stature. At this moment, he slightly lifted his chin, and his deep, sharp phoenix eyes shimmered like faint stars in the Milky Way. Despite the somber winter atmosphere in the courtyard, his presence seemed to illuminate the dim sky, as if beckoning the return of spring.

The maidservants in the courtyard blushed and lowered their heads upon seeing him.

"Cousin Ran," Ouyang Nuan respectfully greeted him with a bow.

Lin Zhiran also observed her closely. Ouyang Nuan was draped in a silver fox fur cloak, her hood partially covering her hair, her sleeves fluttering gracefully as she walked into the courtyard as if she had stepped through the snow from the depths of a cold plum blossom forest. A gust of wind blew, and a plum blossom petal landed on her shoulder. As if tempted, he reached out to brush it away for her. However, Ouyang Nuan stepped back and lightly brushed off the plum blossom herself. Inadvertently, her hood slipped off, revealing an exquisitely beautiful face as pure and white as snow. Yet, her expression remained as cold as ice and snow, robbing her of all worldly allure. He had seen his cousin Nuan before, but it seemed to be the first time he truly appreciated her beauty.

Retracting his hand, Lin Zhiran showed no sign of embarrassment on his face as he calmly remarked, "Cousin Nuan seems to be very polite to me."

Ouyang Nuan kept her head down, maintaining her respectful tone. "Cousin Ran is usually very busy. What brings you here today?" Her implication was clear: you must have nothing better to do if you're here bothering me.

"It's just that I promised Jue to find him a good set of bow and arrows, so I specially came to deliver them today," Lin Zhiran said with a slight smile, his eyebrows arching slightly. Then his expression paused. "But why, cousin, no word of thanks for my assistance yesterday?"

Ouyang Nuan suddenly lifted her head, her smile gentle as she replied, "But cousin, I wonder what you mean by that?"

Lin Zhiran walked directly to her side, lowering his voice. "If it weren't for me diverting attention away, that foolish boy Jue would probably have had to put in a lot more effort to obtain what he wanted..."

Ouyang Nuan's mind immediately went on high alert. She quickly put on a surprised expression and whispered softly, "Cousin's words are puzzling to me, I'm afraid."

Lin Zhiran snorted coldly, sneering at her. "Don't pretend in front of me. I heard every word you said to my mother. Do you want me to personally go talk to my aunt about it?"

Ouyang Nuan smirked, brushing past him and continuing forward. But Lin Zhiran wouldn't easily give up. He quickened his pace to walk beside her. Ouyang Nuan kept her gaze forward, speaking softly. "What cousin Zhiran said, Nuan doesn't know. If you want to talk to mother, then go ahead. Nuan won't see you off."

Lin Zhiran was taken aback. "Aren't you afraid?"

Ouyang Nuan remained composed, indifferent. "If I dare to do something, I'm not afraid of others' criticisms. If cousin Zhiran wants to go to the Furui Courtyard, I'm afraid you're heading in the wrong direction. This path leads to Jue's Courtyard."

Lin Zhiran's lips twitched. He hadn't expected Ouyang Nuan to be so audacious.

Ouyang Nuan sneered inwardly. She had already anticipated many things. Although Lin Zhiran's sudden words surprised her, it was impossible for him to manipulate her with just a few sentences!

Lin Zhiran hurried a few steps ahead of her, blocking her path. He remained silent with a dark expression. Ouyang Nuan observed his changing demeanor and decided it was best to clarify things sooner rather than later to avoid future misunderstandings. So, she stopped and turned to instruct those nearby, "I forgot a warm robe. Changpu, lead the others back to fetch it. Leave Hongyu here to attend to me alone."

The maids who were standing a few steps away followed Changpu as instructed, leaving only Hongyu behind. Ouyang Nuan softened her tone and spoke sincerely, "Cousin Zhiran, you're an exceptionally clever person. There's no need for secrets between us. Today, let's speak openly and honestly."

Lin Zhiran was taken aback, seemingly surprised by Ouyang Nuan's sudden change in tone and her directness. Ouyang Nuan, without glancing at his shifting expressions, continued, "Since my mother passed away, my true relatives in this world are only my paternal grandmother, my maternal grandmother, uncle, aunt, and you, Cousin Zhiran. Speaking frankly, considering closeness and kinship, you should know who you should help."

The way Ouyang Nuan, such a gentle girl, spoke those words was truly moving. Lin Zhiran's cold expression did indeed soften upon hearing them.

Ouyang Nuan continued, "Uncle's health is declining...," causing Lin Zhiran to furrow his brow. Ouyang Nuan quickly followed up, "Uncle Li has been eyeing the inheritance, and now my stepmother is his own sister. If Cousin Zhiran refuses to help us siblings and allows her to eliminate us, wouldn't it be like paving the way for our enemies to rejoice? Doesn't it make sense for kin to share each other's pain and thwart mutual foes?"

She was truly eloquent. Lin Zhiran let out a slight hum from his nose, but ultimately relaxed his expression.

Ouyang Nuan then got straight to the point, "Cousin Zhiran, speaking bluntly, wouldn't it be beneficial for you in the future, when inheriting the title, to have my support?"

Lin Zhiran was taken aback. He saw Ouyang Nuan staring directly at him, her eyes as calm as a deep lake, devoid of any trace of a twelve-year-old girl...

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